Combined signal and trouble lamp for automobiles



March 6, 1928. 1,661,506

I H. R. SANDERS COMBINED SIGNAL AND TROUBLE LAMP FOR AUTOMOBILES FiledJune 2, 1922 Patented Mar. 6, 1928.

UNITED STATES HENRY R. SANDERS, OF NORTH BEACH, MARYLAND.

COMBINED SIGNAL AND TROUBLE LAMP FOR AUTOMOBILES.

Application filed June 2,

My invention relates to automobile lighting systems and has specialreference to that class of devices by which a (ll.l"6l' may signal hismovements to'those behind him. The object of the invention is to providea signal of this character which shall be simple and certain in itsaction even when manipulated by an excited person. easy to install andto maintain, and which may serve as a trouble lamp or for other purposeswhen required, having the double advantage of economy and constanttestingto ensure operative condition.

I attain my object by providing a base plate or support adapted tobesecured upon the back of the operators hand in such fashion that thefingers maybe left free for ordinary use, as for example for graspingand manipulating the steering wheel; and upon this support I mount alamp casing fitted with a bulls eye-in its top or outer side but open onits bottom next to the base plate to Which it is secured by readilydetachable fasteners such as studs working in slots. A flexible cordleads from the lamp in the casing to suitable terminals on the vehicle.through which current is derived from the ordinary lighting circuitthereof. In use. this device enables a driver to signal at all timesboth day and night, in a uniform manner, using the hand only, withoutthe necessity of setting levers or other pieces of apparatus. Inemergencies the simplicity of this method of signaling is a veryimportant factor, as it reduces the liability to error to a minimum.

The constant use of this device in signaling insures the good conditionof the lamp. which cannot burn out or become otherwise inoperativewithout the operatofls knowledge. This is an important feature, as bydetaching the lamp casing from the support, said casing having its.bottom open, the lamp immediately becomes available as a trouble lamp orfor general illuminating purposes. Trouble lamps are ordinarily stowedaway in the kituntil needed, and are liable to be found mechanically orelectrically defective in an emergency.

My invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which, Fig.1 is a plan view of the base plate with combined signal and troublelampmonnted thereon. Fig. 2 is a section thereof on the line I2-w ofFig. 1

1922. Serial No. 565,311.

with the lamp and its connections in full lines. Fig. 3 is a rear viewof the lamp casing and lamp detached. Fig. 4; is a perspective viewshowing the manner of mounting the device as a whole on the back of theoperators hand.

Referring to the drawings, 1 is aplate made of light and still materialsuch as aluminum. having secured upon it, as by rivets L, a pair ofcross straps 2 and 3 each fitted with a series of snap fasteners 2 or 3.which may be replaced by buckles or any other convenient means foradjustably fastening the straps. The strap 2 passes around the palm ofthe operators hand,'and the strap 3 passes around the wrist as shown inFig. 4. It will be observed that by this mode of vfastening the hand isleft entirely free for ordinary use, such as grasping the steeringwheel.

Upon the upper part of the plate 1, so that it will come directly abovethe fingers of the hand. I mount a lamp casing 6 having.

a. bulls eye 7 of red glass, and containing a lamp 13 mounted in asocket 12 extending through the side wall of the casing and adapted toreceive in its outer end the terminal plug 14 of a lamp cord 15connected in any desired manner to the storage battery or other sourceof current carried by the vehicle. As indicated in Fig. 4, this cordhangs loosely from the operators arm with out impeding the free use ofthe hand.

The casing 6 has aflange 5, in which are formed two are shaped'slots 8and 9 to receive studs 10 and 11 oppositely secured on a metal ring 1riveted to the base plate 1.

One end of each slot 8 or 9 is enlarged to pass the head of thecorresponding stud 10 or 11 so that the casing maybe detached by simplyrotating it through the arc of the slots until the studs reach theenlarged ends thereof.

Referring to Figs. 2 and 3, it will be observed that the bottom of thecasing 6 is open when detached from the base plate, Fig. 3 being ineffect afront'view of the device used as a trouble lamp. The interior ofthe bulls eye serves in this case as a partial reflector, and asupplemental reflector, of white or polished material, may be providedto slip in behind the lamp in the casing for greater efliciency inillumination.

As a corollary to the above, the lamp may he removed and the plate 1used, alone for signalling in the day time. I paint: it red when to beso used.

Having thus descrihed my invention. I wish it to he understood thatvarious changea can he made in llltliltlS of detail without departingfrom the (cope and purview thereof, and thattffillltllllllttl't} allsuch changes and llH' tllllCtliltlllS as tall fairly within the scopeol'the. appended claim.

1 claim:

ln :1 device ol the class described the combination of a flat signal.plate of still light material of such proportions as to cover the backoi the hand from the wrist to the finger tips. of proper shape and colorto constitute a proper daylight danger signal, a plurality of strapsattachedthereto at. points intermediate the ends. arranged to embracethe hand just hack of the knuckles and at the wrist, leaving the fingersand illllllll) free for use, a Separate lamp easing open on one side andclosed on the other in a lens of colored glass to constitute a nightdanger eignal. an integrz'tl flange formed around the edge of the openside of Saute. and Rhapod to tit closely and directly against the faceof the signal plate cooperating quick detachahle fastening means onFilltl casing and on said plate respectively wherel the lamp unit as awhole. including the lamp and its easing, may he mounted on the platefor use at night. and may be detached therefrom in the daytime. or forspecial nee at: any time,

an a t'rouhle lamp.

llllPSl'llllOn) whereof I hereunto atlix my signature.

HEN Y R. SANDERS.

